A highly secure, heavily armored compartment deep inside a naval vessel used for storing gunpowder, shells, and other munitions. These spaces are typically located well below the waterline to protect them from enemy fire and are equipped with specialized flooding systems to prevent catastrophic explosions in an emergency.
Heard on the job
The fire control team ordered the forward magazine flooded when the blaze reached the lower decks.
Insider tip
On historic vessels, the magazine was lined with copper and lit only through sealed glass windows to prevent accidental sparks.